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“The occupant was rescued by neighbours and although badly affected by smoke inhalation and gas inhalation, he survived.

“The defendant attempted to cash a benefit order later the same day.”

McFall was convicted at Belfast Crown Court on April 2 1987 of robbery, assault, aggravated burglary with intent and carrying a firearm with intent to commit an offence.

In March 1989 McFall was convicted of arson and burglary. Between 1989 and 1991 he was convicted three times of possessing offensive weapons.

In 1991 and 1992 he was twice convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The funeral service of burning car murder victim Quyen Ngoc Nguyen takes place at the Assembly Rooms in Newcastle (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Miss Nguyen was allegedly murdered during a “terrifying” four-hour ordeal in which she was raped and set on fire in her car as part of an attack in which “violent, warped sexual fantasy and greed were the motivating factors”, the court has heard.

The 28-year-old, of Killingworth, North Tyneside, was allegedly lured to a trap at Unwin’s home in Houghton-le-Spring last August and he and McFall are said to have held her captive, forced her to hand over bank details and then set fire to her and her Audi while she was probably still alive.

Later that evening, McFall is said to have taken a selfie of himself smiling in the passenger seat of Unwin’s car, who can be seen driving in the background.

McFall, 51, who was living between Houghton-le-Spring and Waterloo Road, Blackpool, and Unwin, 40, of St Oswald’s Terrace, Houghton-le-Spring, deny murder and rape.